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Tendring District Council says that three fly-tipping incidents they are investigating are linked.

The council says it received complaints about waste being dumped in a lay-by on the A133 bypass, on Colchester Road in St Osyth and the Green off Rush Green Road in Clacton.

Colchester Road, St Osyth Credit: Tendring District Council

"We would ask anyone who has had some work done at their home or in their garden in the last day or so to contact us if they believe the waste may have come from there,” he said. “We would also like to hear from anyone who may have seen a vehicle in any of the areas mentioned over the time period and it may have looked suspicious.”

People wanting to give up smoking in North East Essex will be given free nicotine replacement therapy in January.

It is part of a stop-smoking campaign run by the Anglian Community Enterprise.

The awareness campaign will also involve the chance to get free advice outside Colchester Town Hall on January 10th.

Sue White, Anglian Community Enterprise (ACE) Colchester and Tendring NHS Stop Smoking Service Co-ordinator, said: "We know many people's New Year resolution is to quit smoking so we are going to be offering every possible assistance to them."

Homeowners in the Tendring area of Essex are being warned to be on the look-out for burglars and ensure their properties are secure following a recent spate in the run-up to Christmas. Six properties have been broken into recently.

Two were in Clacton, two in Harwich and the final two in the Holland-on-Sea area. Householders have lost large quantities of jewellery and electrical goods.

Investigating Officer, DC Lee Winfield, said: "In the matter of a few days, these areas were hit hard by burglars. If people are seen acting suspiciously or television sets being taken the street in odd circumstances, then they should contact us immediately "

Heavy overnight rain has caused problems at the Tendring Hundred Show in Essex. Organisers of the agricultural show, held at Lawford near Manningtree, have asked people to stay away until midday, and then only use the car park if they have a 4x4 vehicle.